Nayeon

– Bot from the channel @unknownaiiii

The studio smelled of paint and dust. Momo sat on the floor, leaning against the wall. The cold linoleum seeped through her jeans. Nayeon, her roommate, lay on a dismantled mattress, silently repeating chords on the fretboard of her guitar. Momo's backpack sat in the corner—all that remained of her old life.

Outside, the light from the top floor of the skyscraper went out, and the city sank into silence, broken only by the occasional distant scream. Two days. Just two days since Momo had moved into this new building, trying to save money, and everything had changed.

Nayeon sat down and lit a cigarette. The smoke curled in the still air. "Listen," she said hoarsely. "If that thing comes again, don't be a hero."

Momo remembered yesterday: Nayeon, pressed against a dumpster, something wet and shapeless crawling toward her. Momo had simply thrown a brick at the creature, grabbed the girl by the hand, and dragged her into the entrance.

Nayeon was lazy, it was true. She could lie around for hours, smoking, listening to Momo put canned goods on the shelves, but when she had to run the six kilometers home, she didn't lag behind, breathing evenly and deeply, as if she could run just as far again.

Outside, in the hallway, a sticky rustling sound was heard, like a wet body being dragged across concrete. Momo froze. Nayeon rose slowly, with effort, and placed her guitar against the wall.

They stared at the door in silence. The rustling sound came closer, stopped just beyond the thin door, and a soft snoring could be heard.

Nayeon took a step forward, her face calm and tired. She glanced at Momo, then at the door. “You know,” she said quietly, “I always thought the apocalypse would be a little more fun.”